Thumbwheel and switch for a mobile electronic device and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile electronic device has a thumbwheel subassembly having measurable rotatable and depressible input movements, for example, rolling the thumbwheel up, rolling the thumbwheel down and pushing the thumbwheel inwards. Pushing the thumbwheel with a measurable component of downward force may result in inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down. Software or hardware may be used to cancel the inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down when the timing of the push and the roll are too close. The thumbwheel assembly may be oriented in the device so that the direction of depressible input movement of the thumbwheel is substantially aligned with the direction of the push by a user&#39;s thumb or finger that includes a measurable component of downward force.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/790,202 filed Mar. 2, 2004 entitled THUMBWHEEL AND SWITCH FOR AMOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF. The contents of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/790,202 are herein incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mobile electronic deviceshaving a thumbwheel for input.

BACKGROUND

A thumbwheel subassembly includes a thumbwheel and a switch. Thethumbwheel may have measurable rotation and depressible input movements,for example, rolling the thumbwheel up, rolling the thumbwheel down andpushing the thumbwheel inwards. A user may inadvertently roll thethumbwheel down while pushing the thumbwheel inwards.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the invention, a method includes cancelingdetection of a rotation downward of a thumbwheel if detection of adepressible input movement of the thumbwheel occurs within apredetermined time threshold of detection of the rotation downward. Thepredetermined time threshold may be approximately 100 milliseconds. Themethod may be implemented by executing software instructions on acomputing platform. The instructions may be stored on an article.

In some embodiments of the invention, a mobile electronic deviceincludes a thumbwheel subassembly, a housing and a microprocessor insidethe housing. The thumbwheel subassembly includes a thumbwheel and aswitch. The housing has an opening through which the thumbwheelprotrudes. The microprocessor is to compensate for inadvertent rollingof the thumbwheel down by a user while the user pushes the thumbwheelinwards. The microprocessor is to cancel detection of a rotationdownward of the thumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movementof the thumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold of thedetection of the rotation downward.

In some embodiments, a mobile electronic device includes a flat displayscreen, a thumbwheel subassembly and a housing. The thumbwheelsubassembly includes a thumbwheel and a switch. The housing has anopening through which the thumbwheel protrudes. The thumbwheelsubassembly is oriented so that a direction of depressible inputmovement of the thumbwheel, when projected onto a plane substantiallyparallel to a plane of the flat display screen, is substantially alignedwith a direction of a push by a user's thumb or finger that includes ameasurable component of downward force. In some embodiments of theinvention, the thumbwheel subassembly is oriented so that a direction ofdepressible input movement of the thumbwheel, when projected onto aplane substantially parallel to a plane of the flat display screen, isat an angle in a range of approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10degrees with respect to a direction from a first point on a side of thehousing having the opening to a second point directly across from thefirst point on an opposite side of the housing. The angle may be in arange of approximately 3 degrees to approximately 8 degrees, orapproximately 4 degrees to approximately 6 degrees. The angle may beapproximately 5 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention may be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when read with the accompanied drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile electronic device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary mobile electronic device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustration of an exemplary method to compensatefor inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down while pushing thethumbwheel, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary mobile electronic device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobileelectronic device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG.6; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobileelectronic device of FIG. 5.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments ofthe invention. However it will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile electronic device 100,in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Device 100 may bea personal data assistant (PDA), a personal information manager (PIM), atwo-way pager, a cellphone, a handheld terminal, and the like. In someembodiments, device 100 may be a two-way communication device with datacommunication capabilities having the capability to communicate withother computer systems. In some embodiments, device 100 may also includethe capability for voice communications.

Device 100 includes a microprocessor 104 that controls the overalloperation of device 100, a persistent store 106, a volatile store 108,thumbwheel control logic circuitry 110, a power supply and managementsubsystem 112, a display screen 114, and a thumbwheel subassembly 116coupled to thumbwheel control logic circuitry 110. Device 100 mayoptionally comprise a keyboard 120. Device 100 may comprise additionalcomponents (such as for example, a communications subsystem, a speaker,a microphone, etc.) that are not shown in FIG. 1 so as not to obscurethe description of embodiments of the invention.

A non-exhaustive list of examples for display screen 114 includes aliquid crystal display (LCD) screen and a thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCDscreen.

Operating system software used by microprocessor 104 is typically storedin persistent store 106, such as, for example, flash memory or read-onlymemory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), mask ROM, electricallyprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable andprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile random accessmemory (NVRAM), a magnetic or optical card, CD-ROM, and the like.Microprocessor 104, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on device 100. The operatingsystem, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into volatile store 108, such as for example, randomaccess memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM),RAMBUS dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), double data rate (DDR)memory, and the like.

Thumbwheel subassembly 116 may include a thumbwheel 118 and a switch119. Thumbwheel subassembly 116 may have measurable rotation anddepressible input movements, for example, rolling the thumbwheel up,rolling the thumbwheel down and pushing the thumbwheel inwards. Anon-exhaustive list of examples for thumbwheel subassembly includes theEdge Drive Jog Encoder Type EVQWK manufactured by Panasonic and theComposite Control Switch Type SLLB from ALPS electronics.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device 100, in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. In the example shown in FIG. 2,display screen 114 is flat. Device 100 is shown in FIG. 2 in theordinary operating/viewing position in which it would be held by andbetween the user's hands at the left and right side edges 202 and 204 ofdevice 100. FIG. 3 is a side view of device 100.

The housing 206 of device 100 has an opening 208 on the right side edge204. Thumbwheel 118 protrudes through opening 208, which may be, forexample, slot-shaped. Thumbwheel 118 may be in a “horizontalorientation”, i.e. the circular opposite sides of thumbwheel 118 are inplanes that are substantially parallel to the plane of a flat displayscreen 114. Alternatively, the thumbwheel may be inclined at an anglefrom the horizontal orientation, as shown in FIGS. 9-13 of U.S. Pat. No.6,489,950.

When device 100 is held as shown in FIG. 2, a user may interface withthumbwheel 118 using a thumb or index finger, for example. Thumbwheel118 has an axis of rotation 215. The direction of a rotation upward(towards a top edge 209 of device 100) is shown in FIG. 2 as a dottedcurved arrow 210. The direction of a rotation downward (towards a bottomedge 211 of device 100) is shown in FIG. 2 as a dotted curved arrow 212.

The direction of depressible input movement of thumbwheel 118 is shownin FIG. 2 as a dotted arrow 214. (If thumbwheel 118 is inclined at anangle from the horizontal orientation, then dotted arrow 214 is theprojection of the direction of depressible input movement of thumbwheel118 onto a plane substantially parallel to the plane of flat displayscreen 114.)

Dotted arrow 214 is directed from a first point on right side edge 204to a second point on left side edge 202 directly across from the firstpoint.

Since pushing thumbwheel 118 is accomplished with the thumb or indexfinger, which pivots from below, the push may include a measurablecomponent of downward force. For example, the push may be in thedirection shown in FIG. 2 as arrow 216. In such cases, both rotation ofthumbwheel 118 downwards and the depressible input movement may bedetected. Consequently, if the user intended to push thumbwheel 118 toselect a particular item from a list, the next item down in the list maybe selected instead inadvertently.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustration of an exemplary method to compensatefor inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down while pushing thethumbwheel, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Themethod is to be implemented by the software that handles detected inputfrom thumbwheel subassembly 116. If rolling the thumbwheel down isdetected (-402-), and subsequently pushing the thumbwheel in is detected(-404-), then it is checked whether the timing of the detection ofrolling the thumbwheel down and the detection of pushing the thumbwheelin is too close (-406-). The time threshold may be, for example,approximately 100 milliseconds. If the timing is too close, then rollingthe thumbwheel down is deemed inadvertent, and the detection of rollingthe thumbwheel down is cancelled (-408-). The detected (and notcancelled) input movement of the thumbwheel is then processed (-410-).

It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that theexemplary method of FIG. 4, or any equivalent method, may be implementedin hardware rather than in software, or in a combination of hardware andsoftware.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a device 500, in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Device 500 is similar to device 100 andtherefore the same reference numerals are used for components andfeatures that are the same or similar. In particular, dotted arrow 214,showing the direction of depressible input movement of thumbwheel 118 indevice 100, and arrow 216, showing the direction of the push by a user'sthumb or finger on thumbwheel 118, are repeated in FIG. 5. Thumbwheelsubassembly 116 is oriented in device 500 so that the direction ofdepressible input movement of thumbwheel 118, shown as a dotted arrow514, is at an angle B from dotted arrow 214. Angle B is such that thedirection of depressible input movement of thumbwheel 118 (arrow 514) issubstantially aligned with the direction of the push (arrow 216). AngleB may be in the range of approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10degrees, or in the range of approximately 3 degrees to approximately 8degrees, or in the range of approximately 4 degrees to approximately 6degrees, or approximately 5 degrees.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobileelectronic device of FIG. 2, generally referenced 600. FIG. 7 is a sideview of the exemplary mobile electronic device 600 of FIG. 6. In device600, housing 206 may have an opening 608 on the left side through whichthumbwheel 118 protrudes. The direction of depressible input movement ofthumbwheel 118, or its projection onto a plane substantially parallel tothe plane of flat display screen 114, is from left side edge 202 toright side edge 204. It is shown in FIG. 6 as a dotted arrow 614.

Since pushing thumbwheel 118 is accomplished with the thumb or indexfinger, which pivots from below, the push may include a measurablecomponent of downward force. For example, the push may be in thedirection shown in FIG. 6 as arrow 616. In such cases, both rotation ofthumbwheel 118 downwards and the depressible input movement may bedetected. Consequently, if the user intended to push thumbwheel 118 toselect a particular item from a list, the next item down in the list maybe selected instead inadvertently.

The method described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 4 is equallyapplicable to device 100 and to device 600.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobileelectronic device of FIG. 5, generally referenced 800. Dotted arrow 614,showing the direction of depressible input movement of thumbwheel 118 indevice 600, and arrow 616, showing the direction of the push by a user'sthumb or finger on thumbwheel 118, are repeated in FIG. 8. Thumbwheelsubassembly 116 is oriented in device 800 so that the direction ofdepressible input movement of thumbwheel 118, shown as a dotted arrow814, is at an angle B from dotted arrow 614. Angle B is such that thedirection of depressible input movement of thumbwheel 118 (arrow 814) issubstantially aligned with the direction of the push (arrow 616). AngleB may be in the range of approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10degrees, or in the range of approximately 3 degrees to approximately 8degrees, or in the range of approximately 4 degrees to approximately 6degrees, or approximately 5 degrees.

While certain features of embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill inthe art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims areintended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within thespirit of the invention.

1. A method comprising: cancelling detection of a rotation downward of athumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movement of saidthumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold of detection ofsaid rotation downward.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidpredetermined time threshold is approximately 100 milliseconds.
 3. Anarticle having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by acomputing platform, result in: cancelling detection of a rotationdownward of a thumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movement ofsaid thumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold ofdetection of said rotation downward.
 4. A mobile electronic devicecomprising: a thumbwheel subassembly including a thumbwheel and aswitch; a housing having an opening through which said thumbwheelprotrudes; and a microprocessor inside said housing to compensate forinadvertent rolling of said thumbwheel down while said thumbwheel ispushed inwards.
 5. The mobile electronic device of claim 4, wherein saidmicroprocessor is to cancel detection of a rotation downward of saidthumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movement of saidthumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold of detection ofsaid rotation downward.
 6. The mobile electronic device of claim 5,wherein said predetermined time threshold is approximately 100milliseconds.
 7. A mobile electronic device, comprising: a flat displayscreen; a thumbwheel subassembly including a thumbwheel and a switch;and a housing having an opening through which said thumbwheel protrudes,wherein said thumbwheel subassembly is oriented so that a direction ofdepressible input movement of said thumbwheel, when projected onto aplane substantially parallel to a plane of said flat display screen, issubstantially aligned with a direction of a push by a thumb or fingerthat includes a measurable component of downward force.